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Racial and Ethnic Diversity
Racial and Ethnic Diversity
While the concept of racial and ethnic composition refers to the racial and ethnic makeup of a population, the concept of diversity refers to the representation and relative size of different racial and ethnic groups within a population. Racial and ethnic diversity is maximized when all groups are represented in an area and have equal shares of the population.
We have used several approaches to measure the racial and ethnic diversity of the U.S. population in the 2020 Census results. These include the diversity index, prevalence rankings and diffusion score, and prevalence maps.
Featured
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VisualizationExploring Age Groups in the 2020 CensusMay 25, 2023Learn about age, sex, and racial and ethnic diversity for states, counties, and census tracts.
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America Counts Story2020 U.S. Population More Racially, Ethnically Diverse Than in 2010August 12, 20212020 Census results released today allow us to measure the nation’s racial and ethnic diversity and how it varies at different geographic levels.
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VisualizationRacial and Ethnic Diversity in the U.S.: 2010 Census and 2020 CensusAugust 12, 2021We use the Diversity Index (DI) to measure the probability that two people chosen at random will be from different race and ethnicity groups.
America Counts
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How Racially and Ethnically Diverse Is Your Neighborhood?An interactive tool and new racial and ethnic diversity topic page allows you to explore the most diverse census tracts in the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
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2020 U.S. Population More Racially, Ethnically Diverse Than in 20102020 Census results released today allow us to measure the nation’s racial and ethnic diversity and how it varies at different geographic levels.
Blogs
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Exploring the Racial and Ethnic Diversity of Various Age GroupsThe 2020 Census showed that while the population under 5 years was the nation’s most racially and ethnically diverse age group, variation existed among states.
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Examining the Racial and Ethnic Diversity of Adults and ChildrenThe 2020 Census shows the overall U.S. population in 2020 was more racially and ethnically diverse than it was a decade earlier.
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Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 CensusLater this month, the U.S. Census Bureau plans to release the first results from the 2020 Census on race and ethnicity.
Visualizations
News
Data Tables
Training
Other Subtopics Within 'Population'
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Age and SexFocusing on a population’s age and sex composition is one of the most basic ways to understand population change over time.
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AncestryAncestry refers to a person’s ethnic origin or descent, "roots," or heritage, or the place of birth of the person or the person’s parents or ancestors.
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ChildrenAll Census Bureau demographic surveys collect information about children. The information collected varies.
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Computer and Internet UseThe U.S. Census Bureau has been collecting data on computers and Internet use sporadically since 1984.
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Foreign-BornThe foreign-born population includes anyone who is not a U.S. citizen at birth, including those who have become U.S. citizens through naturalization.
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Hispanic OriginPeople who identify with the terms “Hispanic” or “Latino” are those who classify themselves in one of the specific Hispanic or Latino categories.
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InternationalThe U.S. Census Bureau conducts demographic, economic, and geographic studies of other countries and strengthens statistical development around the world.
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Language UseLanguage use, English-speaking ability, and linguistic isolation data are collected in the ACS.
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Migration/Geographic MobilityMigration and geographic mobility both refer to the movement of people within and across boundaries, such as county or state lines.
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Older Population and AgingDetailed information and statistics on population older population and aging.
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Population EstimatesAnnual estimates for the U.S., states, counties, cities, etc. Components of population change (births, deaths and migration) for U.S., states and counties.
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Population ProjectionsThe Population Projections Program produces population estimates for future dates. Projections include assumptions about future births, deaths, and migration.
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RaceThe data on race and ethnicity were derived from answers to the question on race and ethnicity that was asked of individuals in the United States.
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VeteransThe U.S. Census Bureau currently collects data on veterans of the Armed Forces using the ACS, CPS, and SIPP.
Page Last Revised - April 26, 2024
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